This Week in the SEC (Week 11)
Last week was an interesting one. Bama pounded LSU, which I didn’t see coming. Auburn came out of nowhere and beat A&M. And Woo Pig! Arkansas pulled off the greatest 4th and 25 play you will ever see. I doubt we will see a better play this week, but there will be plenty of football on, including the big one between Alabama and Mississippi State.
Power Rankings:
1) Alabama (8-1, 5-1)
Last week: W 30-16 vs #2 LSU
This week: at #17 Mississippi State
LSU’s defensive line vs Bama’s o-line was no contest whatsoever.
2) Florida (8-1, 6-1)
Last week: W 9-6 vs Vanderbilt
This week: at South Carolina
Vandy only had nine passing yards and they almost beat Florida. That’s sad. But Florida clinching a trip to Atlanta moves them up.
3) LSU (7-1, 4-1)
Last week: L 30-16 at #4 Alabama
This week: vs Arkansas
One word to describe LSU’s performance: Disappointing. Thought they would get it done and they just get flat out destroyed.
4) Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2)
Last week: W 31-13 at Missouri
This week: at #2 Alabama
Watch out Bama. The Dogs are hot and you just came off an emotional victory. This game could be very, very close.
5) Arkansas (5-4, 3-2)
Last week: W 53-52 (OT) at #18 Ole Miss
This week: at #9 LSU
Woo pig lateral!
6) Tennessee (5-4, 3-3)
Last week: W 27-24 vs South Carolina
This week: vs North Texas
Last week’s game was closer than expected for the Vols, but this week’s game shouldn’t be. North Texas is like the worst team in football for those of you who don’t know.
7) Georgia (6-3, 4-3)
Last week: W 27-3 vs Kentucky
This week: at Auburn
No coaching changes as the Dawgs get the win.
8) Ole Miss (7-3, 4-2)
Last week: L 52-53 vs Arkansas
This week: Bye
That lateral play was amazing, and it was so Ole Miss like to give that up. Sorry, Rebels.
9) Auburn (5-4, 2-4)
Last week: W 26-10 at #20 Texas A&M
This week: vs Georgia
After the tough season Auburn has had, that was huge for them to pick up a win like that in College Station.
10) Texas A&M (6-3, 3-3)
Last week: L 10-26 vs Auburn
This week: vs Western Carolina
Kevin Sumlin’s seat is already heating up. Imagine if they lose to Western Carolina.
11) South Carolina (3-6, 1-6)
Last week: L 24-27 at Tennessee
This week: vs #11 Florida
The Gamecocks went into Knoxville and fought hard. They don’t deserve to fall in the rankings.
12) Vanderbilt (3-6, 1-4)
Last week: L 6-9 at #10 Florida
This week: vs Kentucky
Well Vandy, you almost stunned the world. Next time you should try to have more than nine passing yards.
13) Kentucky (4-5, 2-5)
Last week: L 3-27 at Georgia
This week: at Vanderbilt
Kentucky, here’s the bad news: You are very bad. Good news: You only have to beat Vandy and Charlotte to get bowl-eligible.
14) Missouri (4-5, 1-5)
Last week: L 13-31 vs #19 Mississippi State
This week: vs BYU
It would be nice to see Mizzou win this weekend after all that’s taken place.
Game of the Week:
#2 Alabama at #17 Mississippi State
Saturday, 2:30 CT, CBS
One thing is for sure: Bama is back and better than ever. They proved they are still the king of the SEC after dismantling LSU on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. But they need to get focused quickly, because Mississippi State is a team that could sneak up and beat them. It’s the Tide vs the Bulldogs for Game of the Week.
The Breakdown:
Derrick Henry ran all over LSU, totaling 210 yards and 3 TD’s. The Bulldogs defense will need to bring their A game to shut him down. This could be an opportunity for Henry to have another monster game, as MSU is 10th in the SEC in rush defense. If State wants to win this one, they have to figure out a way to shut down Henry.
Jake Coker is finally realizing that he just needs to be decent to be Alabama’s QB. He has so much talent around him, all he needs to do is get that talent the ball. It appears as if he’s taken pressure off of himself, and that has helped. As for the Bulldog’s QB, Dak Prescott is having a fantastic season, throwing for 18 TD’s and only one pick. Not to mention, he can run the ball too. He will be the best QB Alabama has faced so far, and will be a big challenge for Kirby Smart’s defense.
Prediction:
Mississippi State is going to give Bama all it’s got. They even have a chance to pull off the upset. But Saban has his team playing so well, and if any coach can get his team focused after a big win like Bama had last week, it’s him. I fully expect Alabama to be ready to play. Prescott will be hard to stop, but Alabama will do enough to prevent him from picking up big yards on the ground. Look for Henry to have a big game, as well as Coker. The Tide doesn’t roll, but they win.
Score: Alabama 26, Mississippi State 20
Other Games to Watch:
Arkansas at #9 LSU
BYU at Missouri
Upset Alert:
Missouri over BYU
